Who is number 1 in obesity

Obesity Rates by Country 2024

When a person's weight is higher than what is considered healthy for their height, their condition is described as overweight or obese. Bodyweight results from several factors, such as poor nutritional choices, overeating, genetics, culture, and metabolism. Obesity is linked to many health complications and diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and stroke. Additionally, obesity is the leading preventable cause of preventable death. Despite the negative effects these conditions can have on one's health, more people are overweight or obese today than ever before in history. In fact, obesity is considered a modern epidemic in most parts of the world. Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, with about 13% of adults being obese and about 39% of adults being overweight.

BMI explained

The most commonly used method of measuring obesity is the Body Mass Index, or BMI, which divides a person's weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters) squared. Medically speaking, BMI scores break down as follows:

• BMI under 18.5 = underweight
• BMI 18.5 to <25 = healthy
• BMI 25 to <30 = overweight
• BMI 30 to <35 = obese (class 1)
• BMI 35 to <40 = obese (class 2)
• BMI 40 or higher = obese (class 3 - morbid)

BMI is not a perfect measure. In particular, it can sometimes give a "false positive" score to athletic individuals, whose high BMIs are due not to excess body fat, but to excess muscle. For example, extremely fit NFL quarterback Russell Wilson measured 5'11" tall and 215 pounds in 2016, which gave him a BMI of 30.0, or obese. NBA superstar and wellness enthusiast Lebron James had a BMI of 27.5 in 2012, which qualified as overweighta clear misdiagnosis. As a result of this inaccuracy, many medical experts are switching to waist-to-height ratio, or WHtR, which compares the circumference of a person's waist to their height. If the waist is more than half the height, (or more than 6/10 the height for those over 50), that person is obese. WHtR is considered much more accurate than BMI, but is also much newer. Over time, as it is adopted by more countries, WHtR could easily replace BMI as the de facto measure of a person's weight health.

Obesity by Country

Obesity rates vary significantly by country as a result of different lifestyles and diets. There is no direct correlation between the obesity rate of a country and its economic status; however, wealthier countries tend to have more resources to implement programs, campaigns, and initiatives to raise awareness and education people about what they are consuming. These are among the healthiest countries globally. Some regions of the world, such as the South Pacific, have seen alarming increases in obesity rates within the past five years. Some governments, such as the United States government, have launched campaigns in recent years to promote healthier lifestyles and being active.

The 10 Most Obese Countries in the World

The most obese country by average BMI is the Cook Islands, which has an average BMI of 32.9. Nauru follows with 32.5, then Niue with 32.4. Samoa and Tonga both have average BMIs of 32.2. Finishing the top ten most obese countries are Tuvalu (30.8), Kiribati (30.1), Saint Lucia (30.0), Micornesia (29.7), and Egypt (29.6). What eight of these countries have in common is being located in the South Pacific. When looking at the percentage of obese adults, the list looks a little different. The most obese country by percentage of obese adults is Nauru, with 61% of adults falling in the obese category. Cook Islands fllows with 55.9%, and Palau just under that at 55.3%. Three other countries have adult populations that are over 50% obese: the Marshall Islands (52.9%), Tuvalu (51.6%), and Niue (50%). Finishing the list are Tonga (48.2%), Samoa (47.3%), Kiribati (46.0%), Micronesia (45.8%). The Pacific island nations appear prominently, with Saint Lucia and Egypt serving as the only non-Oceania countries on either list. Type 2-diabetes is a large concern among the people of many of these countries. Multiple theories exist as to why this particular region is so susceptible to obesity, including the growth of unhealthy fast food, the rise of frying as a means of food preparation, and a possible genetic predisposition toward higher BMIs.

The United States has the 12th highest obesity rate in the world at 36.2%. Obesity rates vary significantly between states](/state-rankings/obesity-rate-by-state), ranging from 23% to 38.10%. This is due to the same dietary, environmental, and cultural factors that cause variations between countries. Diet is primarily to blame, with Americans receiving mixed messages about what they should be eating and how much of it. Faced with mouth-watering advertisements served alongside campaigns promoting daily physical activity and proper nutrition, many Americans opt for fast, cheap, and filling options such as processed packaged food, fast food, and larger portions. This often leads to a diet rich in fat, calories, and sodium (the "butter, sugar, salt" trifecta) and low in vitamins and nutrients.

Top 10 Least Obese Countries in the World

When looking at average BMI, three countries tie for the least obese country in the world, with an average BMI of 21.1: Madagascar, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Five other countries have average BMIs under 22: Timor-Leste (21.3), Burundi (21.6), Japan (21.8), China (21.9) and India (21.9). Bangladesh (22.0) and Burkina Faso (22.1) finish the list. Japan's presence here is perhaps unsurprising given that the national dietwhich emphasizes seafood, freshness, modest portions, and minimal added sugar or dairy fatis a very healthy approach (as evidenced by the fact that Japanese life expectancy is among the highest on Earth). However, many of the other countries on this list struggle with famine and povertywhich is the wrong way to achieve a low BMI.

Obesity

Obesity is a major risk factor for a range of diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various types of cancer.

It is most commonly measured using the body mass index (BMI) scale.

On this page, you will find global data and research on obesity its prevalence, drivers, health consequences, and trends over time.

See all interactive charts on Obesity

Related topics:

Food Supply

How had the availability of food changed over time? How does food supply vary across the world today?

Hunger and Undernourishment

How does undernourishment vary across the world? How has it changed over time?

Micronutrient Deficiency

Food is not only a source of energy and protein, but also micronutrients vitamins and minerals which are essential to good health. Who is most affected by the "hidden hunger" of micronutrient deficiency?

Other research and writing on obesity on Our World in Data:

What is obesity?

Obesity is commonly measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale

Obesity can be measured in different ways, but the most common is the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale, which is calculated based on a persons height and weight.

BMI is defined as their weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).¹

BMI values are used to define whether an individual is considered to be underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese.

In adults, the WHO defines these categories using the cut-off points: an individual with a BMI between 25 and 30 is considered "overweight", while a BMI greater than 30 is defined as "obese".² However, different cut-off points are used for other groups, such as children and pregnant women.

Read more in our article:

What is obesity and how is it measured?

Obesity is a leading risk factor for poor health outcomes. How is obesity defined and measured?

Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for early death

Obesity is responsible for millions of premature deaths each year

Obesity is one of the world's largest health problems one that has shifted from being a problem in rich countries to a health challenge around the world.

The Global Burden of Disease is a major global study on the causes and risk factors for death and disease.³ The authors of the study have estimated the annual number of deaths attributed to a wide range of risk factors, as you can see below.

Obesity defined as having a high body mass index is a risk factor for several of the world's leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various types of cancer.⁴

As you can see, its estimated that around 5 million people died prematurely in 2019 as a result of obesity, which makes it one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Read more in our article:

How do researchers estimate the death toll caused by each risk factor, whether its smoking, obesity, or air pollution?

Risk factors are important to understand because they can help us identify how to save lives. How do researchers estimate their impact?

The global distribution of health impacts from obesity

What share of global deaths are the result of obesity?

Globally, its estimated that almost 10% in 2019 resulted from the consequences of obesity this was almost double the share in 1990.

This share varies significantly across the world. In the map here we see the share of deaths attributed to obesity across countries.

Across many middle-income countries such as in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, and Latin America more than 15% of deaths were attributed to obesity in 2019.

This results from both a high prevalence of obesity, as well as poorer overall health and healthcare systems compared to high-income countries with similarly high levels of obesity.

In 2019, in most high-income countries, the share of deaths attributed to obesity was in the range of 8 to 10%. In many middle-income countries, this share was almost twice as high.

In contrast, across several low-income countries especially across Sub-Saharan Africa its estimated that obesity accounts for under 5% of deaths.

There is a large difference in death rates from obesity across the world

Death rates from obesity can also help us understand differences in the impact of obesity between countries and over time.

In the map here you can see differences in death rates from obesity across the world, per 100,000 people in the population.

Death rates tend to be higher in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, and Latin America.

In contrast, they tend to be much lower in Western Europe, Australia, and East Asia.

When we look at the relationship between death rates and the prevalence of obesity we find a positive one: death rates tend to be higher in countries where more people are obese.

But what we also notice is that for a given prevalence of obesity, death rates can vary by a factor of four. While around a quarter of people in Russia and Norway are obese, death rates in Russia are much higher.

It's not only the prevalence of obesity that plays a role but also other factors such as underlying health, other confounding risk factors (such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, and other lifestyle factors), and healthcare systems.

What share of adults are obese?

Obesity varies widely worldwide and has become more common

In the chart here, we see the share of adults (aged 18 years and older) who are obese across regions. These estimates are based on survey data and statistical modeling by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Overall we see a pattern roughly in line with prosperity: the prevalence of obesity tends to be higher in richer countries across Europe, North America, and Oceania. Obesity rates tend to be much lower across South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

More than a third of adults in the United States were obese in 2016. In countries such as India and Nigeria, that share was far lower.

The chart also shows the share of adults who are obese has grown over time.

Obesity in men vs. women

See the data in our interactive visualization

What share of adults are overweight?

Globally, its estimated that around two-fifths of adults were overweight or obese in 2016.⁴

The classification of "overweight" is also defined based on the body-mass index it refers to BMI values between 25 and 30.

In the map here we see the share of adults who are overweight or obese across countries.

As you can see, the share of people who are overweight tends to be higher in richer countries and lower in poorer countries.

In many high-income countries such as the United States, its estimated that over 60% of adults are overweight or obese.

In contrast, across South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, its estimated that around one in five adults are overweight or obese.

Share of women who are overweight or obese

See the data in our interactive visualization

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Mean BMI in adult women

In the map, here we see the distribution of average (mean) BMI in adult women across the world.

In 2016, the global average (mean) BMI in women was around 25, which is the cut-off for overweight. The average BMI tends to be higher in North and South America and North Africa, and lower in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Mean BMI in adult men

In the map here we see the distribution of mean BMI for adult men across the world.

In 2016, the global average (mean) BMI in men was estimated to be around 25, which is the cut-off for overweight. The average BMI tends to be higher in North and South America and North Africa, and lower in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Childhood obesity

Share of children that are overweight

Obesity and overweight in children are also measured based on body mass index (BMI).

However, BMI scores are interpreted differently for children and adolescents.

Weight categories are defined by comparing weight to the WHO Growth Standards a child is defined as overweight if their weight-for-height is more than two standard deviations from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards.⁴

What are the drivers of obesity?

At a basic level, weight gain eventually leading to being overweight or obesity is determined by a balance of energy.⁵

When we consume more energy typically measured in calories than the energy expended to maintain life and carry out daily activities, we gain weight. This is called an energy surplus. When we consume less energy than we expend, we lose weight this is an energy deficit.

This means there are two potential drivers of the increase in obesity rates in recent decades either we eat more (an increase in calorie intake) or we expend less energy in our daily life through lower activity levels. Both elements are likely to play a role in the rise in obesity.

To tackle obesity, interventions that address both energy intake and expenditureare important.⁶

Daily supply of calories

Over the past century but particularly over the past 50 years the supply of calories has increased across the world.

In the 1960s, the global average supply of calories (that is, the availability of calories for people to eat) was around 2,200 kcal per person per day. By 2013, this had increased to 2800kcal.

Across most countries, energy consumption has therefore increased. Without an increase in energy expenditure, weight gain and obesity tend to rise.

In the chart here, we see the relationship between the share of men who are overweight or obese versus the daily average supply of kilocalories per person.

Overall there is a strong positive relationship: countries with higher rates of overweight tend to have a higher supply of calories.

If you press "play" on the interactive timeline you can see how this has changed for each country over time. Countries tend to move upwards and to the right: the supply of calories has increased as obesity rates have increased.

Is BMI an appropriate measure of weight-related health?

The merits of using BMI as an indicator of body fat and obesity are contested.

A key contention to the use of BMI indicators is that it is a measure of body mass/weight rather than providing a direct measure of body fat.

Whilst physicians continue to use BMI as a general indicator of weight-related health risks, there are some cases where its use should be considered more carefully, which are listed below, and physicians are recommended to evaluate BMI results carefully on an individual basis.⁷

• Muscle mass can increase body weight; this means athletes or individuals with a high muscle mass percentage can be deemed overweight on the BMI scale, even if they have a low or healthy body fat percentage;
• Muscle and bone density tends to decline as we get older; this means that an older individual may have a higher percentage body fat than a younger individual with the same BMI;
• Women tend to have a higher body fat percentage than men for a given BMI.

Read more in our article:

What is obesity and how is it measured?

Obesity is a leading risk factor for poor health outcomes. How is obesity defined and measured?

Interactive charts on Obesity

Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser (2017) - Obesity Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/obesity' [Online Resource]

@article{owid-obesity,    author = {Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser},    title = {Obesity},    journal = {Our World in Data},    year = {2017},    note = {https://ourworldindata.org/obesity}}

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